- Russian fighter pilots have been antagonizing US drones over Syria for several days.
- Russians fired flares at drones and flew close enough to them to prompt evasive maneuvers.
Russian fighter jets have continued their onslaught of "reckless" moves against US drones over Syria for a third day.
Insider previously reported that Russian fighters have engaged in aggressive maneuvers around at least 6 NATO aircraft, including attacks against US Reaper and MQ-9 drones, in the last two days. The "unprofessional behavior" continued Friday, according to a statement released by the US Air Forces Central.
"Earlier today three MQ-9 drones were once again harassed by Russian fighter aircraft while flying over Syria. During the almost two-hour encounter, Russian aircraft flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations," Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of US Air Forces Central, said in the statement.
Previously, the Russian fighters had been seen dropping flares in front of the drones and flying dangerously close, prompting the drones to take evasive maneuvers to avoid collisions.
On Thursday, Grynkewich said in a statement released by the Department of Defense that Air Forces Central is working "with partners and allies to address these incidents and prevent any escalation of tensions in the region."
The Russian military is rewarding pilots for actions like downing US drones, Insider previously reported Grynkewich said, including a mid-March incident where an American MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down over the Black Sea.
"Any time you have an air force that has fallen so low on the professional ladder that they're giving medals for buffoonery in the air, you've really got to wonder what they're thinking," Insider reported the Lieutenant General said last month.
Representatives for the Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.